What to do if the reading glasses are no longer sufficient?

Do you have trouble reading despite your reading glasses? As you age, many people notice that their reading glasses no longer provide the desired effect. The lettering blurs even at normal reading distance. What should you do when reading glasses are no longer sufficient? This question is often asked, and the answer depends on the type of deterioration and the available alternatives.

When do reading glasses no longer suffice?

Presbyopia, also known as age-related farsightedness, affects almost everyone at a certain age. The eye’s lens loses its flexibility over time, making it increasingly difficult to see objects up close. Many people reach for reading glasses at this stage. But over the years, vision continues to deteriorate, and the glasses that initially helped well are no longer sufficient.

My experience as an ophthalmologist shows that many patients notice after some time that the reading glasses that were perfect a few years ago no longer provide the same support. This is because presbyopia worsens over time and the once-prescribed glasses strength is no longer enough.

Reading glasses, these 10 things to consider

Additional visual impairments

In many cases, it’s not just presbyopia that affects vision. Patients who already suffer from myopia, farsightedness, or corneal astigmatism often find that their reading glasses no longer fully correct these additional visual defects. This leads to a double burden, where the glasses do not work optimally for either near or far.

How do I know if the reading glasses are too weak or too strong?

A “wrong” pair of glasses shows itself in various symptoms. If the reading glasses are too weak, you need to hold the book or newspaper further away from your eyes to see clearly. This often causes eye pain and fatigue. If the glasses are too strong, you may experience headaches, dizziness, and blurred distance vision.

Many of my patients report these problems and initially think they need new glasses. In fact, regularly adjusting the lens strength is crucial to ensure the best possible vision correction.

Is incorrect glasses harmful to the eyes?

There are many misconceptions about whether incorrect glasses can permanently damage vision. In fact, incorrect glasses can cause unpleasant symptoms such as headaches and eye strain in the short term, but they do not lead to permanent deterioration of vision.

As an ophthalmologist, I still recommend regular eye examinations to ensure that the glasses or contact lenses have the correct strength. Wearing the wrong glasses can make daily life harder and significantly reduce quality of life.

What alternatives to reading glasses are there?

If reading glasses are too weak or you want to be free of glasses, there are several options. Without surgical intervention, contact lenses are an option, and with modern laser procedures, vision can be corrected in a single treatment.

Contact lenses

A popular alternative to reading glasses is contact lenses, especially multifocal lenses, which correct for both near and far. Patients prefer contact lenses because they offer more freedom of movement and comfort.

There are different types of contact lenses: soft lenses, which are comfortable and easy to wear, as well as rigid gas-permeable lenses, which provide sharper vision but require a longer adaptation period.

Laser treatments

Modern laser treatments such as PRESBYOND® or Monovision offer a permanent solution for presbyopia. With PRESBYOND®, the vision of both eyes is adjusted so that the dominant eye is set for distance and the non-dominant eye for near. This enables sharp vision without glasses or contact lenses.

The SMILE Monovision procedure combines the advantages of the proven SMILE technology with the Monovision technique. In this procedure, a small lenticule (lens-shaped disc of tissue) is precisely detached from the cornea with a femtosecond laser and removed through a tiny incision. In combination with Monovision, a technique in which the dominant eye is optimized for distance and the non-dominant eye for near, presbyopia and other vision defects can be effectively corrected.

Numerous patients have already benefited from these procedures in my practice – both at the laser eye center in Stuttgart and at the laser eye center in Karlsruhe. The freedom to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses is a key advantage for many. You can read more about it in the experience report with PRESBYOND®.

Hitradio Antenne1 moderator Nico Auer accompanied Thomas during the laser treatment and captured all the emotions. After the operation, Thomas was no longer dependent on glasses.

Lens replacement

If presbyopia is very advanced or laser treatments are not an option, lens replacement may be a sensible option. In this procedure, the eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial lens that remains in the eye for life.

This method is particularly popular with older patients who want to permanently correct their vision. The artificial lens ensures that presbyopia and other visual defects such as farsightedness or corneal curvature are corrected at the same time.

Next steps – when reading glasses are no longer sufficient

If reading glasses are no longer sufficient, you need not worry. There are suitable ways to correct your refractive error. If you opt for a permanent correction with laser, the first step is to determine which method is suitable for you.

The choice of the right method depends, among other things, on age, eye health, and your overall health. A comprehensive examination is the first step to determine which option is best for you.

You can also test online in advance using an eye laser suitability test to see if you are suitable for laser eye treatment.

In my practice, I address the individual needs of my patients and advise them in detail to make the best possible decision. Many patients are relieved to learn that there are more options than just reading glasses.

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FAQs

How often do I need to adjust the vision of my reading glasses?

The vision should be checked every 1-2 years to ensure that the glasses still fit optimally.

How often do I need to adjust the vision of my reading glasses?

The vision should be checked every 1-2 years to ensure that the glasses still fit optimally.

Are laser treatments suitable for everyone?

Not every refractive error can be corrected by laser. A thorough examination helps determine that. Alternatively, a lens exchange can also be performed to achieve a permanent correction.

Is it harmful to wear glasses that are too weak or too strong?

Wrong glasses can cause headaches and eye strain in the short term, but they do not permanently damage the eyes.

Can I wear contact lenses permanently?

Yes, multifocal contact lenses are a good alternative to glasses and can be worn long-term