Over 50 and No Readers?

Banditcat · #1 (**permalink**) 06-25-2008, 03:48 PM

I'm wondering if there's anyone over 50 reading this who can read a newspaper without contact lenses, bifocals or readers.
Everyone says that by the time you're 45, you WILL need reading glasses, no two ways about it.
I'm looking for exceptions to that rule so that I can have hope that when I'm 50 I'll still be able to read without help.

Thanks!

guru · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 01:03 PM

My grandfather is 70 and he still read newspaper without glasses.In my village many people at the age of 45, i found not wearing glasses while reading.So be sure your eye will work after 45 also if you will manage eye health.

skysky78 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 01:57 PM

I'm 52 and don't need reading glasses -- yet. I've been myopic all my life and had Lasik monovision six months ago. I now have 20/15 in my left eye and he corrected the astigmatism in my right eye so while I didn't need reading glasses, I didn't see as crisply as I could due to astigmatism.

I've been told that if you're nearsighted, you'lll get by longer without reading glasses than those who have good distance vision. My younger sister isn't myopic and needed readers at 46.

As the eye ages, it loses its ability to change focus quickly between near and far so while many can get by without corrective lenses, the quality of one's vision isn't as good as when you're younger.

Even though I see fine with monovison, I invested in optical quality progressive lenses to use for work and extended reading to avoid eye strain. Reading glasses aren't a big deal either way.

Banditcat · #4 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skysky78

I'm 52 and don't need reading glasses -- yet. I've been myopic all my life and had Lasik monovision six months ago. I now have 20/15 in my left eye and he corrected the astigmatism in my right eye so while I didn't need reading glasses, I didn't see as crisply as I could due to astigmatism.

I've been told that if you're nearsighted, you'lll get by longer without reading glasses than those who have good distance vision. My younger sister isn't myopic and needed readers at 46.

As the eye ages, it loses its ability to change focus quickly between near and far so while many can get by without corrective lenses, the quality of one's vision isn't as good as when you're younger.

Even though I see fine with monovison, I invested in optical quality progressive lenses to use for work and extended reading to avoid eye strain. Reading glasses aren't a big deal either way.

Thank you for that detailed report, skysky78. That's the reason I love Lens 101.

Resistoon · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guru

My grandfather is 70 and he still read newspaper without glasses.In my village many people at the age of 45, i found not wearing glasses while reading.

This doesn't mean they are seeing clearly and don't need glasses. Odds are they don't get their eyes checked annually. Often times people don't even know how bad their eyesight has gotten until they get glasses and can see clearly again.

It is just a medical fact that the lens in the eye is less flexible starting in the early 40's and thus makes it so you can't focus up close. Cataracts are another fact of life everyone will get. Other factors can cause cataracts, but with age also comes cataracts. And if you live long enough, everyone will get nasal polyps.

Banditcat · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resistoon

This doesn't mean they are seeing clearly and don't need glasses. Odds are they don't get their eyes checked annually. Often times people don't even know how bad their eyesight has gotten until they get glasses and can see clearly again.

I had that experience when I first got glasses as a teenager. I didn't think I needed glasses until I tried on my friend's spectacles.

On the other hand, I asked about people's ability to read, so even if their vision isn't 20/20, if they can still read a newspaper without optical aid, that's good enough for me.