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Do I need to wear special glasses while working on the computer?

Dr Arun Mishra
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, UK

Q: Recently I went for an eye check up and the ophthalmologist suggested that since I work on the computer for 6-8 hours a day I should wear progressive glasses instead of different glasses for distance viewing and reading. I got these progressive glasses made but I am unable to wear them as they make me giddy. I have tried my best to get used to them for over a month but in vain. Should I go back to different glasses for distance viewing and reading?

A:This is a condition which is called Presbyopia in which anybody who is normal i.e. not short sighted will require reading glasses for close up work after the age of 40-45 years but with the same glasses will not be able to see distance i.e. TV or driving. Short sighted people will start to take glasses off to read. Progressive (varilux or varifocals) glasses are very good for both near and distance as well as for computer work (intermediate distance). If you look down to the floor with reading element of the glasses, things will still be blurred. These are expensive and difficult to get used to initially, but I think these are best things since sliced bread. Having bifocals or separate glasses for near and distance is very inconvenient. Lot of people are walking around with substandard vision or don't do enough precise work, so get along in life without glasses. When presbyopic people start to take glasses off to read with, it is one of the signs of a developing cataract. So please, persevere by adjusting your head up or down to look at things.