As someone who's worn glasses since childhood and switched to contact lenses at 17, I've long embraced clear vision without frames. Back then, glasses weren't the stylish accessory they are today, so I was thrilled when my parents approved contacts. Now, in my 40s, prescription reading glasses are re-entering my life—and it's an adjustment, especially after decades of popping lenses in and out effortlessly.
Anyone hitting this stage knows the feeling: it's not just wearing glasses again, but how they alter your view of the world. Prescription reading glasses feel different from the contacts you're accustomed to, with constant transitions between near and far vision that can feel disorienting.
For daily wearers of monthly or annual contacts, glasses on the nose make distant viewing impossible—and for me, it triggers nausea. I find myself constantly donning and doffing them: on for close tasks, off when my kids speak from across the table. It's disruptive and unsettling.
Luckily, I've found ways to delay full reliance on them.
I've kept prescription reading glasses handy for about 18 months, stashed on our kitchen spice rack—the epicenter of my close-up needs, like reading ingredient labels or recipes. They're essential in dim winter light when my eyes falter, but less so in bright summer.
A game-changer came from my optician's recommendation: multifocal contact lenses. My husband had success with them for near vision, so I tried a set. The improvement isn't perfect—things aren't 100% sharp—but it's noticeably better than before.
Even if you wear toric lenses for astigmatism, like Acuvue Oasys, multifocals are an option. Dreading full-time glasses? Consult your optician about them to extend your contact lens freedom.
Despite my efforts, I'm reaching for reading glasses more often—and surprisingly, it bothers me less. The nausea persists, though, which might resolve with quality frames from a trusted optician, rather than cheap ones from the supermarket like Kruidvat or HEMA.
Do prescription reading glasses make you seasick too, or have you adapted seamlessly? Share your experiences below.
