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CeeMcG's avatar

Eyeglass prescription are written in diopters, it’s a measurement of how much correction is needed. Reading glasses at the drugstore are typically +1.0, 1.5, and so on (measurements are professionally down to the .25 level of change). Farsightedness (you can’t see near) usually means + diopters and nearsightedness (you can’t see far) are in - diopters. Before I had cataract surgery, my eyeglass prep was -8.0/+2.0 … blind in both directions! I couldn’t see my face in the mirror. Now I have artificial lenses in my eyes and can see 20/20 without glasses for the first time in 45 years.

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Jeff C's avatar

Yes you absolutely can. If you are near-sighted (far things are blurry) just order glasses with a negative number for the diopter value. Use the value on your prescription if you have one. If not, they are so cheap you can order a few different diopter values and pick the one that works best.

There are a few limitations, they don't go in 1/4 increments (that I've seen) but only 1/2 increments. Plus you'll have the same values for both lenses and most people's eyes are a little different. But both my wife and I did this with the closest match and it's probably 95+% as clear as an actual "prescription" pair. And the price is unbelievable compared to what people are used to paying.

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Roger Beal's avatar

Simple diopter lenses are fairly useless for astigmatism correction.

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Jeff C's avatar

Yup, but is that a large part of the population? I don't know the answer. In our house we are 3 for 3 so far with my wife, son, and me all using the cheap glasses

Probably not the way to go though if you have a complicated eye issue. But we are all just near-sighted ranging from -1 to -2 diopters.

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Maggie Think of Me's avatar

I still think you'd do better, as would your brain with an actual refraction to determine what your correct prescription is... Just saying.. Yes, prescription glasses are hugely expensive! (It is a racket/ripoff)! IMHO. They can set you back hundreds of dollars! So, I don't blame you for going that route... but... you'd probably see better with a proper prescription...

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MaryAnn's avatar

Jeff C: I got my first pair of presc glasses last year. I had had RK, then Lasik for my nearsightedness but aging was affecting that correction. So I spent $600 for glasses I cannot wear. I finally stuck them in my car to wear if night driving is ever an issue and use +3 for reading. Lesson learned!

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JustANobody's avatar

Thank you so much. So can you order your script strength on Amazon?

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Karmy's avatar

You can buy readers on Amazon. After my cataract surgery I needed readers for small print in low light so I purchased a pair of bifocal readers. Reading power at bottom and clear on top so that I can wear them shopping without looking like Chuckie Schumer peeking over the top of glasses. The alternative was to put them on and take them off constantly which was annoying.

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Ruth H's avatar

You can buy readers almost anywhere locally without relying on Amazon.

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Jeff C's avatar

Do they have them for distance in stores? Maybe they do but I've only seen the readers.

We needed distance glasses which is why I suggested Amazon.

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Ruth H's avatar

Walmart.com carries distance glasses and Lensmart. I just try to find options other than Amazon with all their stock from China. Heck, maybe most everything is from China😩

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CeeMcG's avatar

I’ve never looked, to be honest. I know you can order reading glasses (+1.0 etc) on Amazon. You can certainly get them at Costco. I always had to order mine special from the optometrist because my prescription was so high - I had to pay extra for custom thinner lenses and edge polishing, things like that. -8.0 glasses are normally like Coke bottle bottoms unless you’re willing to pay more for higher end lenses. My last pair cost over $900. I also had astigmatism corrections, which are part of a custom lens.

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