Presbyopia

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Nonprescription eyeglasses

Nonprescription eyeglasses are primarily for people who can no longer read fine print. This condition, called presbyopia or "old vision," usually begins at about the age of 35 and progresses until about the age of 55. This inability to focus clearly at near distances is a universal human aging condition.

Although over-the-counter (OTC) glasses do not appear to harm vision, if they are not appropriate for a person's eyes, they can cause eyestrain after prolonged use.

Most vendors offer standard and bifocal lenses, and some vendor locations also offer transitional lenses that lighten up indoors and darken when outdoors. The reading glasses may be available in both full reading vision or in bifocals. Bifocals, invented by Benjamin Franklin, have a lower segment to see up close, with an upper segment consisting simply of clear glass for distance.

The quality and durability of OTC eyeglasses vary widely. ...

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