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Medical Forum / General / Vision / May 2005Computer glasses?
Have just had my second cataract removed (first was a month ago.) Seem to be working just fine, but I'm just ine the first week. I'm now waiting about 3 months to get a new prescription. In the meantime the doc says to get some "drug store" glasses for reading. I've had some for a while and they work fine. Now I need something with a proper focal length for computer use. Searching the internet, I'm not sure that what I find will do the job. Does anyone have a source for cheap glasses for that purpose? BTW - I'm seriously considering trifocals later. I've been using them successfully for many years, Dear Jim, I am not certain what you are looking for. You can find simple spherical plus lenses on the rack. Just put them on and read at a comfortable distance. They are low cost -- about $10, so you can try several for comfort. If that does not work, a convenient source of $19 is on this link. Bifocals are more expensive of course. http://Zennioptical.com Good luch with you catarack operation. Best, Otis > You can find simple spherical plus > lenses on the rack. Dear Jim, Please disregard Otis's postings. He is not in the medical profession nor in the position to give medical advice. Thanks! Allen > Have just had my second cataract removed (first was a month ago.) Seem > to be working just fine, but I'm just ine the first week. I'm now [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > BTW - I'm seriously considering trifocals later. I've been using them > successfully for many years, First, there have to a few assumptions: that you have little or no correctable astigmatism and that both eyes require the same distance correction (or if your doctor got the IOL power right on, no distance correction.) That being the case, the next factor is the distance from your eyes to the computer monitor. For a 22-26"/55-66cm working distance, a + 1.50 or +1.75 lens should be about right. A little closer, a little higher power, further, a bit less. If the criteria in the first paragraph are not met, then you are better off having your refractive status/prescription checked and ordering the correct spectacles. Measure your working distance and have the doctor customize your lenses for you. Pre-made inexpensive readers can be purchased at drug and discount stores, from local optical stores and some eye doctors. They assume that your eyes require the identical powers for correction and that your eyes are spaced equally at around 62mm. Errors around all those criteria may make a less than adequate cheap fix. --LB, O.D. Sorry, guess I'm not being clear. -Reading glasses don't work well for computer work. You need a different focal length, or you have to get closer! -I'm looking for a temporary solution until I can get a permanent prescription. Computer glasses are just weaker "reading" glasses (the weaker you go, the farther out the clear point of focus). If +2.00 readers work well at 17", then +1.00 or +1.25 readers should work well at 24". Having said that, if you want a more accurate Rx, have an o.d. refract you and make up a custom pair that will be right on. If you had small incision, stitchless procedures, they may not even need changing in 2 or 3 mos. If you had any stitches, then you probably will have to have them changed in a few weeks/mos. I had the former 4 mos ago and my Rx has been pretty rock solid unchanged since day 2 post-op. w.stacy, o.d. > Sorry, guess I'm not being clear. > -Reading glasses don't work well for computer work. You need a > different focal length, or you have to get closer! > -I'm looking for a temporary solution until I can get a permanent > prescription. Interesting. Thanks. >Computer glasses are just weaker "reading" glasses (the weaker you go, >the farther out the clear point of focus). If +2.00 readers work well at [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >> -I'm looking for a temporary solution until I can get a permanent >> prescription. >Computer glasses are just weaker "reading" glasses (the weaker you go, >the farther out the clear point of focus). If +2.00 readers work well at [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >w.stacy, o.d. Bill, Most of the post-op Rxs that I fill are from two to four weeks after the surgery. I have a three month "Rx change warranty" just in case, but it has been a long time (years) since this has been an issue. I tell my clients to tell their doctor (unless there are complications) to Rx at two weeks to get the client "up and running". In some cases when the client is younger or left with a large Rx change and/or anisometropia I'll try to get an Rx at one week and make a temporary lens in the old glasses and then make new glasses at the three month follow-up. On Thu, 05 May 2005 11:07:19 -0400, Jim T. <suenjim4.badaddress@comcast.net> wrote: >Have just had my second cataract removed (first was a month ago.) Seem >to be working just fine, but I'm just ine the first week. I'm now [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >BTW - I'm seriously considering trifocals later. I've been using them >successfully for many years, Jim, Trifocals are ok for general use but not as comfortable and functional as specially made glasses for use in front of a monitor, sheet music, or other tasks at 20" to 28". If all you need to do is check your mail and write a few short letters then regular street glasses should be tolerable, especially if your neck is flexible and you have a good size and quality screen. Otherwise, computer glasses will eliminate posturing, increase acuity, and decrease fatigue. Hope this helps Robert Martellaro ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Optician/Owner Roberts Optical robopt@execpc.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field." - Niels Bohr What I did, since I knew I was going back to work 3 days after both surgeries, is I took a recent pair of bifocals I had, popped both lenses out and had plano with a 2.25 add put into them, same style, same seg ht. Then I swapped the old right lens for the new right and took these with me to the 1st surgery (as it was my left eye to be done first). Got up off the table and wore those just fine (could have used some slab-off, but I prism adapt pretty quickly) until the following week, when I popped the other new (right) lens into the frame just before surgery, jumped off the gurney with the new ones, and wore them until I could tell I wasn't going to change much more, about 3 more days, and made myself a pair of progressives that still work today, 4 mos later. Never missed a day of work. Piece of cake. Nobody should put off this procedure. First sign of trouble, have it done, and if you're a moderate to high hyperope and presbyopic, don't even bother to wait for trouble... w.stacy, o.d. > Most of the post-op Rxs that I fill are from two to four weeks after the > surgery. I have a three month "Rx change warranty" just in case, but it has [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > a temporary lens in the old glasses and then make new glasses at the three month > follow-up. > Sorry, guess I'm not being clear. > -Reading glasses don't work well for computer work. You need a > different focal length, or you have to get closer! > -I'm looking for a temporary solution until I can get a permanent > prescription. It is true that it may be difficult to get the correct focal length if you do not have occular implants. What I do is to just wear reading glasses over my street glasses. You can call me six-eyes. If you require differing strengths for the two eyes, just buy two pair of a type using the same frame. Cheap enough. Right now I am using a pair marked +1.50. I leave the tag on. At the swap meet, I attend, I can also get higher power glasses often used by older machinists.I have a pair with a number of plastic flippers of various power. Those cost more and are probably not necessary. six-eyes Bill What I do is to just wear reading glasses over > my street glasses. You can call me six-eyes. If you require differing > strengths for the two eyes, just buy two pair of a type using the same > frame. Cheap enough. Right now I am using a pair marked +1.50. I leave the > tag on. Different strokes. Fortunately for my business, most of my patients wouldn't be caught dead using such contraptions (I guess northern Californians can be a bit uppity). Or maybe we're just not quite so resourceful. I especially like the bit about leaving the tag on. You know you could probably talk an o.d. or optician out of an old 6 or 10 piece frame display that you could set up right there in your shop so your entire collection could be at your fingertips. w.stacy, o.d. > Have just had my second cataract removed (first was a month ago.) Seem > to be working just fine, but I'm just ine the first week. I'm now [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > BTW - I'm seriously considering trifocals later. I've been using them > successfully for many years, I cannot overemphasize my satisfaction with the 99¢ store or a swap meet where I bought several in different strenghts at about a dollar each. I am using such a pair at my computer now. Bill >I cannot overemphasize my satisfaction with the 99¢ store or a swap meet >where I bought several in different strenghts at about a dollar each. I am >using such a pair at my computer now. > >Bill Bill, Compared to what? They are certainly better than no glasses at all. My clients tell me that coated Rx multifocal lenses are vastly superior in all respects (except cost-about $200 with frame). If all you use them for is looking up a phone number or reading a menu in the restaurant then go cheap and save a few bucks. If your at a desk eight hours a day or if you are an avid reader you will wonder why you didn't upgrade to quality optics heretofore. Robert > >I cannot overemphasize my satisfaction with the 99¢ store or a swap meet > >where I bought several in different strenghts at about a dollar each. I am [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Robert I get a kick out of those people who go out and spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on a new lens for their camera, that they might use a few time a year, and then head over to the thrift shop for reading/computer glasses that they use for hours every single day. --Larry It's a good thing most swap meets don't have contact lens hawkers... > I get a kick out of those people who go out and spend hundreds and > hundreds of dollars on a new lens for their camera, that they might use > a few time a year, and then head over to the thrift shop for > reading/computer glasses that they use for hours every single day. > > --Larry >I get a kick out of those people who go out and spend hundreds and >hundreds of dollars on a new lens for their camera, that they might use >a few time a year, and then head over to the thrift shop for >reading/computer glasses that they use for hours every single day. Yeah, but you should see how beautifully my pictures come out. I can't, but you should ;-) LarryDoc <larrybic@yahoo.remove.com> wrote in news:larrybic- 7464A1.11364006052005@news.verizon.net: > I get a kick out of those people who go out and spend hundreds and > hundreds of dollars on a new lens for their camera, that they might use > a few time a year, and then head over to the thrift shop for > reading/computer glasses that they use for hours every single day. > > --Larry What about people that spend $200 on a pair of sneakers, but don't think an optometrist visit is worth half that? Scott > What about people that spend $200 on a pair of sneakers, but don't think > an > optometrist visit is worth half that? Or a $75 nail job? $150 for hair? -MT > I get a kick out of those people who go out and spend hundreds and > hundreds of dollars on a new lens for their camera, that they might use > a few time a year, and then head over to the thrift shop for > reading/computer glasses that they use for hours every single day. I understand optics. I have never spent extra on a camera lens if you exclude an afocal telephoto adapter. six-eye Bill > larrybic@yahoo.remove.com wrote on 5/6/05 11:36 AM: > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I understand optics. I have never spent extra on a camera lens if you > exclude an afocal telephoto adapter. When I needed a longer lens for my SLR I did a lot of shopping, looking for the best price. Same when I bought my cameras. Same with everything else. I can think of some good reasons to replace my 4-year-old Nikon CP-800, but "it ain't broke yet" trumps them all.  SignatureCheers, Bev ------------------------------------------------------------------ It doesn't matter who you vote for, the government always gets in. Companies spend millions developing new products to enhance the quality of life for people who can afford it. People usually purchase the best they can afford if they can differentiate the quality. Problem is, they cannot differentiate quality in this industry because of the tendency of retailers to sell lower quality at higher mark-ups. To me, nothing short of clear, comfortable vision is satisfactory. I admit that I am addicted to it, just like I am to high fidelity music and good food. It enhances my life. There is a tremendous service component to getting it done right. DrG > Companies spend millions developing new products to enhance the quality > of life for people who can afford it. People usually purchase the best [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > DrG It took me a long time to realize that the key to enjoying music, at least classical music, was the performance. One of my favorite recordings is a 10 inch LP of tango music. Even with all the snaps, pops, and wows, it is the best record of that kind that I ever heard. I found it many years ago in an 88¢ bin at a drug store. Since then, as my hearing has deteriorated, especially for high notes, I am glad to have leared that lesson. six-eyes Bill "six-eyes Bill"? How about "dollar Bill"? DrG > "six-eyes Bill"? > > How about "dollar Bill"? > > DrG When I was a kid, I could get candy for a penny. So... penny six-eye Bill >> I cannot overemphasize my satisfaction with the 99¢ store or a swap meet >> where I bought several in different strenghts at about a dollar each. I am [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Robert I have used bifocals designed for viewing a computer monitor. They were just fine. I recently had cataract surgery and I was not going to spend $200 before my eyes settled. My 99¢ solution is adequate for me. As my cataract surgery stablized. I just made a minor change from +1.75 to +1.50 at a cost of 99¢ plus sales tax. Earlier, I also had trouble getting optometrists or ophthalmologists to modify my prescription to what I wanted. They knew better. Usually, single vision was suggested. I finally went to an ophthalmologist who did not sell glasses. He gave me a prescription just like what I wanted. He only suggested that the optician recenter the glasses for the distance to the screen. Those glasses worked out very well indeed. Unfortunately for me, that ophthalmologist started doing refractive surgery exclusively. six-eye Bill > >I cannot overemphasize my satisfaction with the 99¢ store or a swap meet > >where I bought several in different strenghts at about a dollar each. I am [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > bucks. If your at a desk eight hours a day or if you are an avid reader you will > wonder why you didn't upgrade to quality optics heretofore. I spend at least 8 hours a day at the computer or reading. When I got my contacts I started buying 99-cent readers. While some of the frames have needed a whole lot of personalization with a file, the lenses have always been first rate. I've also acquired a number of more expensive ($9-$20) readers at yard sales and the only difference is nicer frames. SignatureCheers, Bev ============================================================= My house isn't a pigsty, it's an Immunity Enhancement Center. >> >I cannot overemphasize my satisfaction with the 99¢ store or a swap meet >> >where I bought several in different strenghts at about a dollar each. I am [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >first rate. I've also acquired a number of more expensive ($9-$20) readers at >yard sales and the only difference is nicer frames. Bev, I ask again, compared to what? I've inspected many of the OTC readers and the lenses are of variable quality but never "first rate". Even high quality Rx lenses will cause fatigue and other problems when positioned inaccurately. For most folks with advanced presbyopia single vision computer glasses just don't provide enough depth of field i.e. the ability to see comfortably at multiple distances that are common with desktop monitors and work stations. I know that you wear Cls and that the Rx is very astigmatic. At your next eye exam ask the doctor to write an "over refraction" Rx for glasses over the CLs as well as a regular Rx. Post it here and we'll see how much you'll benefit from an Rx over the CLs. Even if the distance Rx is plano sph coated multifocal lenses will provide much more comfort and function and seems to be a reasonable choice with the amount of time that you spend performing close tasks. Regards Robert Martellaro ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Optician/Owner Roberts Optical robopt@execpc.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field." - Niels Bohr > >> >I cannot overemphasize my satisfaction with the 99¢ store or a swap meet > >> >where I bought several in different strenghts at about a dollar each. I am [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > lenses are of variable quality but never "first rate". Even high quality Rx > lenses will cause fatigue and other problems when positioned inaccurately. I guess that I'm just lucky, then. No fatigue, no headache, and I really don't have a clue what eyestrain might be. My prescription glasses provide MUCH better vision than my contacts, but I figure after a couple of dozen trials this is the best I can get. > For most folks with advanced presbyopia single vision computer glasses just > don't provide enough depth of field i.e. the ability to see comfortably at > multiple distances that are common with desktop monitors and work stations. With my 2.25 readers I can read 1/16" letters on my computer at distances between 7 inches and 24 inches, with sharpest vision at 15 inches. I choose to cram as much text on a screen as I can, the limiting factor being my chosen distance from the monitor. Clarity at further distances is much better with contacts+readers than with my newly-prescribed reading glasses. My contacts provide 20/40 vision in my right eye, much worse in my left. > I know that you wear Cls and that the Rx is very astigmatic. At your next eye > exam ask the doctor to write an "over refraction" Rx for glasses over the CLs as > well as a regular Rx. Post it here and we'll see how much you'll benefit from an > Rx over the CLs. With all due respect, I'm not sure I can even get decent contacts. His first guess was Biomedics 55 torics, which move easily and stay stuck a bit too long before returning to position. These are 2-week lenses for the same price as the Cooper Frequency 55 torics, 1-month lenses. Bummer. I've been rotating the 3 pair of good Coopers for the last year, which is definitely rotten practice, but the doc looked at the oldest ones under the microscope and pronounced them clean, which surprised him. However, I just found out that Cooper owns Biomedics, and I think that whatever the normal quality of their products, their customer support is piss poor and I won't buy any of their products without an iron-clad replacement guarantee for individual lenses that are just wrong. > Even if the distance Rx is plano sph coated multifocal lenses > will provide much more comfort and function and seems to be a reasonable choice > with the amount of time that you spend performing close tasks. I got prescription readers because I couldn't stand moving my head around to find the proper focus point with bifocals -- having an even smaller area to aim at doesn't seem feasible. SignatureCheers, Bev --------------------------------------------------------------------- "If the Eskimos have a thousand different words for "snow," does this mean the French have a thousand different words for "surrender?" Customizing near vision correction is an important part of my practice. Robert clearly knows that tweeking the optics for optimal range of vision for a given near point task is key to vision comfort. And he knows how to do that. Sadly, many doctors and opticians don't spend the time (eg: listen to patient's needs) to do the right thing. Some people using incorrect eyeglasses don't experience eye strain issues and yet strangely high levels of strain with the slightest optical imbalance. And there so many factors that can cause asthenopia (fancy word means: it don't feel good). I have patients measure their near point needs, and write it down. In office, I have them sit down in front of my computer, a textbook, a paperback book, a newspaper sprawled out on a desk, needlepoint ----whatever it is they need spectacles for. I calculate and then demo lenses that might work for them. Over contacts, bifocals, multifocal PALs. I then measure the ocular-motor effect of the lenses: do they make the eyes turn in or out, up or down---and then finalize an optical correction that will work, in a frame that is properly fit and adjusted for the correct viewing angle. Sounds complicated? It's not, nor is it very time consuming, especially considering the resultant eyeglasses will most surely be correct and the patient will be pleased and not needing further office time, other than to say "thanks!". --LB. O.D. > Some people using incorrect eyeglasses don't experience eye strain > issues and yet strangely high levels of strain with the slightest > optical imbalance. And there so many factors that can cause asthenopia > (fancy word means: it don't feel good). Just what is eye strain? Is it just a catch-all term? How is it measured? Bill It is a symptom. The patient knows when they have it. DrG > It is a symptom. The patient knows when they have it. > > DrG If this post is in reply to my asking what eyestrain is, then the answer is a cop-out. Bill Dear Bill, I am shocked, SHOCKED I say, that anyo OD would resort to a statement that you insist is a "cop-out." Best, Otis Otis, do you know about net etiquette? I have no idea what you're talking about, since your post (quoted below, in its ENTIRETY) has no reference to any recent posts on this news group. If you're going to play the game, please read (and ABIDE BY) the rules... w.stacy, o.d. (p.s., and does "anyo OD" refer to "any old optometrist", or what?) > Dear Bill, > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Otis > Otis, do you know about net etiquette? I have no idea what you're > talking about, since your post (quoted below, in its ENTIRETY) has no > reference to any recent posts on this news group. If you're going to > play the game, please read (and ABIDE BY) the rules... I think he was referring to a previous post of mine. I had asked for a definition of eye strain and how to measure it. Without mentioning names, the response was essentially you will know it if you have it. Bill You may recall that I started this thread by looking for a temporary solution while waiting to be fitted with a permanent prescription after dual cataract surgery. Heres what I've done and consider the matter closed - at least for me. I have worn trifocals for many years and intend getting them when the time comes. I refuse to be constantly changing glasses. Besides, I look better with glasses on! I had some "drug store" reading glasses that are 2.25 and they work great now for reading. I found a pair of 1.50 power at Target for $7.99 and they are terrific for use at the computer. This was based on information that I got in this thread. Thanks. Good luck to those who wish to continue the debate. >>> >I cannot overemphasize my satisfaction with the 99¢ store or a swap meet >>> >where I bought several in different strenghts at about a dollar each. I am [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] >"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field." > - Niels Bohr |
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