Reading glasses are not suitable for walking

Recently, Aunt Li's husband was hospitalized and she was responsible for taking care of him. At that time, she was wearing reading glasses to read a book. Suddenly, a relative came to visit. She hurriedly stood up to greet him. In her rush, she forgot to take off her reading glasses. Unexpectedly, she felt dizzy just after taking a few steps. She stumbled and almost fell. Fortunately, the nurse next to her supported her in time. Aunt Li asked the nurse: "Why can't I see clearly all of a sudden? I almost fell down?" The nurse smiled and explained: "This is because you walk with reading glasses. Reading glasses are only suitable for seeing close up, not for seeing far away, so you feel dizzy and blurred vision."

Why are reading glasses not suitable for walking?

1. The role of reading glasses

Reading glasses, also known as presbyopia glasses, are an auxiliary tool designed to help patients with presbyopia see nearby objects clearly. As people age, the lens of the eye gradually loses its elasticity and its ability to adjust decreases, causing nearby objects to become blurry. Reading glasses help patients see nearby objects clearly by adjusting the focus of light.

2. Design of reading glasses

Reading glasses are designed to correct vision at close range. They usually have a fixed focal length, which means they are only suitable for use at a specific distance (usually around 40 cm). When we need to see distant objects, such as when walking, reading glasses are no longer suitable.

3. The inconvenience of wearing reading glasses while walking

Blurred vision: When walking, you need to look far away. Reading glasses will make distant objects look blurry, which not only affects our vision but also may increase the risk of falling.

Eye fatigue: Wearing reading glasses for long periods of time, especially when not needed, can cause eye fatigue and dryness. This is because the eyes need to constantly adjust their focus to adapt to the inappropriate lens power, causing prolonged tension in the eye muscles.

Dizziness and discomfort: Walking with reading glasses may cause dizziness, blurred vision and other symptoms due to the mismatch of visual focus, affecting our daily life.

4. Correct usage

For close viewing only: Reading glasses should only be used when you need to see close objects, such as reading books, newspapers, mobile phone displays, etc.

Take off and put on reading glasses at appropriate times: When you do not need to see close objects, such as when walking or watching TV, you should take off your reading glasses to give your eyes a rest.

Regular check-ups: As you age, the degree of your reading glasses may need to be adjusted. Go to a professional optician or hospital for regular vision checks to ensure that the degree of your reading glasses is suitable for you.

Special needs: If you need to see near and far frequently in your life, you can consider fitting progressive lenses. This type of glasses can meet your needs for seeing near and far without having to be put on or taken off, but they are relatively expensive.

Reading glasses are a good helper for friends with presbyopia. In order to protect eyesight health and avoid discomfort, it is better to take them off when walking.

□Huang Wenjie, head nurse of fundus surgery department of Wenzhou Medical University Eye and Optometry Hospital