How To Convert Progressive Prescription To Computer Glasses
In the event that you are finding it increasingly difficult to see the screen clearly when you are working on the computer, you are not alone – many people require what is known as a computer prescription to enable them to see up close, thereby reducing headaches and fatigue.
You can receive both a regular eye prescription from your optometrist as well as advice regarding the strength of eyeglasses that will be required for computer use from your optometrist. The following guide can be used to calculate your prescription yourself if your prescription is relatively low or if you do not require corrective lenses – it is much simpler than you think.
Calculating your computer prescription
When sitting in your normal computer working position, measure the distance between your face and the screen. Next, you should review your regular prescription as written by your optometrist. You should be able to identify the details of the sphere. The +1.00 represents the sphere in a prescription such as +1.00 – 0.50 x 100, for example.
If the screen is between twenty-one and thirty-five inches from your face, you should add approximately one additional diopter of strength to the sphere number in order to determine your computer prescription. Therefore, if you have a regular prescription of +1.00 (in terms of the sphere), you will need to add another diopter of strength to find your computer prescription.
Nevertheless, the calculation differs if your computer screen is situated more than thirty-five inches away from your face. Assuming the above example remains the same, you will need to add 1.5 diopters to your regular eyeglass prescription in order to find the computer prescription. Therefore, the computer prescription would be +2.50 in this case.
If I do not require glasses at this time, what should I do?
How do you determine your computer prescription if you do not have a prescription for eyeglasses or if you only wear glasses that block blue light?
In this case, simply start your calculation at zero- if you sit more than thirty-five inches from your screen, you will require +1.00 or +1.50 for your prescription for computer glasses. Your local pharmacy may offer computer glasses (or reading glasses) at such low strengths that might be appropriate for your needs.
Choosing a Pair of Computer Glasses
When your prescription strength is relatively low, it is relatively easy to find the computer glasses you need. You should be aware that the distance between your face and your screen is approximately the length of your arm if your normal distance is twenty-one inches (which is relatively average).
Consider this in mind and test your ability to read text that is approximately the same size as the text on your computer screen by trying on several pairs of glasses while standing at arm’s length from the reading chart provided.
The strength can be fine-tuned by going up or down in small increments of 0.25 diopters if you feel that it is too high or too low.
Combining Reading Glasses and Prescription Glasses
When working on computers, bifocal or progressive lenses may be an appropriate solution for those who already have prescriptions for eyeglasses but are having difficulty seeing. Both of these lens types combine two prescriptions into a single lens. In general, the ‘reading’ section (also for computer use) is located at the bottom, while the ‘regular’ prescription is located at the top.
Progressive lenses have a continuous lens without visible lines indicating the beginning and end of one prescription, as opposed to bifocals which have a line denoting where one prescription begins and ends. Progressive lenses provide seamless vision between near and far distances and allow one set of eyeglasses to be used for both reading and daily use.
How to Choose the Right Pair of Computer Glasses for Your Needs
The best way to prevent eye strain and headaches is to take steps to resolve your difficulty seeing your computer screen clearly. Luckily, no matter whether you already have an eye prescription, it is not difficult to accomplish this. In order to choose the best pair of eyeglasses – whether these are pharmacy readers or progressive specs – for your needs, you need to convert your vision prescription to one that is suitable for computer work. Use the above guide to determine how your vision prescription can be converted to one that is appropriate for computer work.
