Why IT pros over 50 should switch their glasses to technology lenses | Hacker News Reader

Why IT pros over 50 should switch their glasses to technology lenses

zdnet.com

42 pointsbookofjoe22 comments

Hard disagree.

I struggled terribly with the newfound need for multifocals for near vision. At the end of the day, after trying several pairs of bifocals, progressives and technology multifocals over a few years, I found that every single pair did not provide an adequate viewing window to display large amounts of clear text on my screen. Quickly scan a config file? Catch the right piece of code? Skim an email? Nope. You're stuck seeing a few sentences, moving your head around to read other parts of the screen. Some people don't mind. I found it really impeded my flow. Just awful, and most of these were very high-end lenses with fresh prescriptions.

What worked in the end? One very aggravating thing, then later, one surprisingly good thing.

I had single-vision prescription screen glasses made - the same thing as the "intermediate" window in technology progressives, but covering the entire lens. This allowed me to clearly see everything on my screens at all times. The downside? The need to switch glasses entirely when getting up and needing distance vision, or vice versa. Still, I was willing to accept this tradeoff at the time to be able to get the productivity I gain by clearly seeing a full screen of text, in an IDE or a terminal or just in email.

The surprisingly good thing? I got a cataract and needed a lens replacement, and got a PanOptix trifocal lens implant. Results vary - some people hate the PanOptix as much as I hated multifocal glasses - but I ended up with 20/20 vision near and far, can transition effortlessly between distance, intermediate and far in my full range of vision, and no longer need to wear glasses. No impact on my productivity, and I feel 20 years younger.

So computer glasses or reading glasses? Calling them technology lenses sounds like clickbait/marketing.

I just asked the optom for weaker lenses for computer use. No need for whatever these are.

I opted for the same solution.

My computer glasses simply have 1 diopter less than my normal glasses.

You can choose glass to focus to different length. My piano playing (reading score) and my screen glass is different. I never heard of technology lens though. Is it just normal lens with different focus length?

Per my optometrist's recommendation, I bought specific computer glasses, with the prescription changed to make my distance vision worse and lessen the work on my eyes to read a computer screen.

I would say this is the best thing I've bought in 10 years. And it's cheap, if you re-use old frames: under $100 for the lenses.

I assume basically everyone reading this spends at least 10 hours a day staring at a computer screen. You should all give this a try.

I'm near sighted. I've put my tablet computer on a stand, so it's right next to my face, so I don't need to wear glasses when using it. The keyboard and mouse are underneath it. I've noticed my vision has improved after making this change, likely due to reduced eyestrain.

I have pairs of cheap reading glasses scattered around the house, and while they are fine for reading and close work, they don’t quite bring things into focus ar screen distances. Usually when working I need both, so progressive lenses do help.

Please be careful if the reading glasses are non-prescription. A relative of mine was told by her optometrist that using non-prescription reading glasses contributed to making her vision worse.

>No, non-prescription reading glasses do not make vision worse. In fact, ophthalmologist Michelle Andreoli, M.D., says that reading glasses from a drugstore are safe and can help you focus up close.

Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=do+non-prescription+reading+...

Is there actual evidence for that?

Anytime you have an improvised fitting, eyestrain results. Long term eyestrain is deleterious to your vision. QED.

>"Eye strain is more of a symptom than an actual condition," explains Laurie Barber, MD, a comprehensive ophthalmologist in Little Rock, Ark. "People use the term differently. One person may mean their eyes are tired or watery, while another may have blurred vision. Some people may have headaches they attribute to eye strain, and others may have facial muscle fatigue from squinting for long periods because they are not wearing the correct glasses."

>Eye strain does not injure the eye and does not cause permanent damage, Dr. Barber said. "But it's worthwhile to make simple changes when you are concentrating on a task to increase your eye comfort."

Source: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-eye-strain#:....

Sounds like my government. "You must see a doctor for that prescription! You can't just test different lenses until one is right."

Dont forget my favorite part, your prescription is no longer valid after 1 year, so keep that cashcow flowing and come back next year!

This is especially irritating where i broke my prescription sunglasses, and they wouldnt simply make the same lenses again, and forced me into an eye exam

You should be able to get a copy of your exam results and send them to Zinni for a new pair. Be sure to get the interpupillary distance if you don't want to futz with determining it yourself.

LensCrafters will refuse to give you a copy if its been over a year since your exam. Its a damn racket

My optometrist specifically recommended getting some. The idea that glasses make vision worse is a myth.

It can, and specifically this was in reference to off the shelf grocery store pharmacy bought reading glasses that are sort of your prescription but not really and its just enough to make your eyes worse

What the heck is a “technology lens”?

Marketing.

> Progressive-based technology lenses can help aging eyes maintain clarity and comfort in the digital world.

But the text is light gray on dark grey. Resistance is futile. /s

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