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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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