When it comes to reading glasses, not all lenses are created equal. You’ve likely seen inexpensive ‘ready readers’ in high street shops or online, but how do these differ from prescription reading glasses made specifically for you?
In this article, I’ll explain the key differences between these two types of lenses helping you decide which is right for your eyes.
What’s the difference between reading glasses and prescriptions?
Reading glasses and prescription glasses serve similar purposes—but they’re not the same thing.
Non-prescription reading glasses are designed to help you see better at close range. They typically come in a range of incremental strengths and are the same for both eyes. You can buy them straight off the shelf which is why they're known as OTC (over the counter) readers or 'ready readers'.
Prescription reading glasses, on the other hand, are tailored to your specific vision needs based on a professional eye test. They take into account the unique shape of your eyes, any differences between them, and whether your close-vision needs correction for conditions such as astigmatism or myopia.
To get a better understanding, let's take a closer look of each of these.
What are non-prescription reading glasses?
Non-prescription reading glasses—often referred to as ready readers or over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses—are a mass-produced, affordable solution for people who only need help with close-up tasks like reading, sewing or checking their phone.
These glasses have several key characteristics:
- The same magnification in both lenses, regardless of your individual eye needs
- A standardised pupillary distance (PD), which may not match your natural eye position
- No correction for astigmatism or uneven vision between eyes
They’re cheap, convenient and accessible - but they’re essentially a one-size-fits-all solution. If your eyes are different (which most are), or you have other visual needs, ready readers may cause headaches, fatigue, or eye strain over extended periods of use.
What are prescription reading glasses?
Prescription reading glasses are custom-made lenses. They're designed to correct your near vision for each separate eye based on your most recent eye test. They’re commonly prescribed to address:
- Presbyopia – age-related difficulty focusing on close objects
- Myopia – short-sightedness
- Astigmatism – uneven curvature of the cornea or lens
Unlike ready readers, each lens is made to suit the unique needs of your left and right eyes, offering better clarity and comfort.
Prescription lenses also allow for custom enhancements such as:
- Anti-glare coating – reduces reflections from screens and overhead lights
- Anti-scratch layer – helps protect lenses from daily wear and tear
- Blue light filter – useful if you spend time reading on digital devices
- UV protection – shields your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays
- Light tints – to help with light sensitivity or reading in bright environments
- Transitions® - offering automatic darkening of your lenses whilst outdoors
The result is a more comfortable and accurate visual experience, especially if you read frequently or for extended periods.
Are prescription reading glasses better than off the shelf?
In short, yes. While ready readers offer a quick fix, prescription reading glasses are far superior in terms of visual comfort and long-term eye health. Customised lenses ensure an accurate correction for each eye, cater for your pupillary distance and can alleviate unnecessary eye strain or distortion.
If you only need reading glasses occasionally and your vision is nearly identical in both eyes, OTC options may suffice. But if you rely on reading glasses every day, or you want optimal comfort, prescription lenses are the better investment.
Why are prescription reading glasses more expensive?
Prescription glasses cost more than ready readers for good reason. They’re:
- Individually made based on your optical prescription
- Made using higher quality materials and premium lens technologies
- Fitted by a professional, ensuring proper alignment and visual comfort
- Customisable with coatings and enhancements for your lifestyle
This precision manufacturing and additional functionality result in a higher upfront cost—but also in a better, longer-lasting experience.
Can I use reading glasses for a computer?
Not really. Reading glasses are designed to correct close-vision for visual tasks within 30cm such as reading or using your phone. Computer screens, however, tend to sit a bit further back (about 50–70cm).
If you use standard readers for your computer, you may find yourself leaning forward or tilting your head awkwardly to see clearly. In this case, a specific pair of occupational lenses or computer glasses (tailored to that intermediate range) would be more suitable.
You may also want to consider blue light filtering coatings such as Satin Blue or Crizal® Prevencia® to reduce digital eye strain.
Related article: Can reading glasses help computer eye strain?
Is it okay to wear prescription reading glasses all the time?
Generally, yes. It’s perfectly okay to wear your prescription reading glasses all the time, so long as they feel comfortable and provide clear vision for your daily tasks.
Reading glasses are designed specifically for near vision activities like reading, phone use, or working on a computer. If those make up most of your day and your glasses help you see clearly without discomfort, there’s no harm in wearing them continuously. Doing so won’t damage your eyes or make your vision worse over time.
That said, there are a few things to consider:
If your reading prescription is quite strong, you might find it harder to see things clearly at a distance, which could lead to eye strain or dizziness when moving around.
If you experience fatigue, headaches, or blurred distance vision, it may be a sign that reading lenses alone aren’t meeting your overall vision needs.
For all-day clarity across all distances, you might want to explore varifocal or progressive lenses, which allow you to see near, intermediate, and far without switching glasses.
If in doubt, speak to your optician about the best option for your lifestyle. But rest assured, if your prescription reading glasses feel good and work well for you, there’s no problem wearing them throughout the day.
Is it worth getting prescription reading glasses?
If you read a lot, work at a desk, or experience eye strain, absolutely. Prescription reading glasses provide: While they cost more initially, they’re a worthwhile investment in your visual wellbeing.
FAQs about reading glasses
Are non-prescription reading glasses good?
They can be, for short tasks or infrequent use. But they don’t provide the same level of correction, comfort, or quality as prescription lenses.
Are reading glasses just magnifiers?
Non-prescription reading glasses essentially are—they enlarge close-up text without correcting your underlying prescription. Prescription readers, however, are far more advanced and tailored to your specific optical needs.
Can you tell reading glasses from a prescription?
Yes. A qualified optometrist or dispensing optician can identify the difference. Prescription glasses usually have differing powers in each lens and may include corrections for astigmatism or other refractive errors.
Ready for prescription reading glasses?
If you’re tired of squinting or switching between pairs of glasses, now might be the time to upgrade to prescription reading lenses. Our lens menu lets you explore a range of options including, blue light coatings, photochromic upgrades and more.
Hopefully you found this article helpful. If you’ve got any questions about reading glasses or want help choosing the right lenses, feel free to get in touch.
Thanks for stopping by.