Reading Glasses Myths

Myth 1

Wearing glasses weakens your eyes.

This is the most common of reading glasses myths.
I have met thousands of patients in their late 40’s with pounding headaches and red raw eyes who refuse to give into to reading glasses because they think it will weaken their eyes.

There is not one shred of evidence this is true.

Here’s how the myth arose.

Grudgingly you succumb to reading glasses. You either get them prescribed by your optometrist or you get them from the chemist. Then what happens? Two years later you need a stronger pair.

Why have my eyes weakened? It must be those damn glasses! (Conveniently forgetting that you are now two years older and your eyes are now more mature).

Myth 2

Chemist glasses ruin your eyes

Chemist glasses, your sister’s glasses or even your dead grandma’s glasses will not ruin your eyes.

If wear glasses that are “wrong” the worst that will happens is that you will get headaches and eyestrain. No long lasting effects.

Glasses don’t make your eyes better and they don’t make them worse. They just help you see more clearly.

This myth has added billion of dollars into the coffers of optical retailers.

People are just too scared to wear chemist glasses.

Myth 3

I need reading glasses because my muscles are getting weaker.

If you are like most and put off getting reading glasses, then your eye muscles will be trim, taut and terrific from doing massive daily work out sessions.

The reason you cannot focus is not because of lazy muscles. No, it’s because the lens in your eye that needs to flex to change focus has got bigger and stiffer with maturity. Those eye muscles of yours just can’t make it rock and roll like they used to no matter how strong they are.

Myth 4

Haemorrhoid cream will reduce the bags under my eyes.

Many reading glasses wearers are susceptible to bags under their eyes. There has been an enduring myth that applying a dab of Preparation H, a well know haemorrhoid cream, will tighten the skin and reduce bags.

There is not one shred of evidence that this will work, even the company who makes Preparation H is keen to hose down this myth.

There are however, a number of steps that you can take to reduce the bags under your eyes.

Where should you buy reading glasses from?

So you know reading glasses are not going to damage your eyes in anyway. However if the lenses are not "ophthalmic quality" then there may be distortions in the lenses that could give you strain and fatigue.

My advice is to shun the $2 specials and get decent quality lenses.For quality reading glasses I recommend www.readinstyle.com.

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