If you stare at a computer screen for hours at a time and can’t seem to focus on your monitor, you might wonder whether computer glasses or reading glasses can help. These are both multifocal lenses that correct vision at a close range, but they’re formulated for different distances.
Understanding the difference between computer glasses and reading glasses is crucial because the distance between your eyes and the computer screen will be farther than the distance you hold a book or smartphone to read.
The wrong glasses can cause you to continually lean closer to your computer, tilt your head, or squint.
We’ll take a closer look at the differences between computer glasses vs reading glasses and determine which type of corrective eyewear can support your daily activities.
What are Computer Glasses?
Computer glasses are designed to give you clear vision at the intermediate distance you typically view a computer or monitor.
Computer screens are usually 20-30 inches from your eyes, but this can vary depending on your workspace setup and visual needs.
Computer glasses can have a prescription for the distance between your eyes and the computer screen. Some computer glasses also have an anti-reflective coating to keep away bothersome glare on the lens.
Computer glasses are available with and without a prescription, but glasses that don’t have a prescription won’t correct your vision unless you select the appropriate magnification power.
Computer glasses that have a custom prescription can help reduce eye strain for people with computer vision syndrome.
What are Reading Glasses?
Reading glasses are designed to reduce or eliminate blurry vision at a close range. They’re most commonly used when reading a book or viewing a smartphone, though some people wear them for scanning the menu at a restaurant.
As you age, the muscles in your eyes become more rigid, and it can be challenging to adjust your focus to look at objects that are near to you. This condition is called presbyopia, and it typically begins to appear after age 40.
To compensate for this change in vision, you need extra magnification at a close range to see clearly.
When comparing prescription vs non-prescription reading glasses, prescription options are customized to your individual vision needs, while over-the-counter readers generally provide the same magnifying power in both lenses.
Prescription reading glasses may be preferable if you have astigmatism, different prescriptions in each eye, or other specific vision requirements.
People who purchase over-the-counter readers will find that the lenses provide the same level of magnification for both eyes.
On the other hand, prescription reading glasses can correct vision issues like astigmatism, and people with different prescriptions in each eye can get the magnification they need.
Computer Glasses vs Reading Glasses: Key Differences
The key difference between computer glasses and reading glasses is the viewing distance.
| Feature | Computer Glasses | Reading Glasses |
| Primary purpose | Computer and monitor use | Close-up reading |
| Typical viewing distance | Approximately 20–30 inches | Approximately 14–18 inches |
| Lens power | Customized for intermediate vision | Optimized for near vision |
| Common activities | Computer work, office tasks | Books, phones, detailed close work |
| Lens options | Single-vision or occupational progressive | Single-vision, bifocal, or progressive |
| Best suited for | Extended intermediate-distance tasks | Close-up tasks |
These are average viewing distance guidelines, and the correct magnification power for your computer glasses or reading glasses will depend on your prescription and the distance at which you feel most comfortable viewing objects.
Should Computer Glasses be Weaker than Reading Glasses?
In many cases, yes, but this isn’t always the case.
If you have presbyopia and need reading glasses for close work, the lens power for your computer glasses will be weaker than your reading glasses. This is because the distance between your eyes and the computer screen is greater than the distance between your eyes and the book you’re reading.
However, this does depend on your prescription. If you have myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or another vision condition, the lens power for your computer glasses may be different.
Only an optometrist can determine the correct lens power for your glasses. They can also advise whether you need a stronger prescription for your computer glasses.
Can I Use Reading Glasses for Computer Work?
You can use reading glasses for computer work, but they aren’t always the best option.
Reading glasses are designed for a range of ~14-18 inches,
and the computer screen will most likely be at least a few inches farther away from your eyes. This can cause the text on your computer screen to appear blurry or out of focus.
Without the proper magnification power in your computer glasses, you may find yourself leaning forward or turning your head to look at the text on your computer monitor. This can cause neck strain and headaches.
If you spend a few hours each day working on the computer, you could find that computer glasses are more comfortable to wear than reading glasses.
Do Computer Glasses Actually Help with Eye Strain?
Computer glasses can help with eye strain when the issue is related to a refractive error or difficulty focusing at a specific visual range.
However, not all eye strain is caused by refractive errors.
Working on a computer for extended periods of time can also lead to eye strain due to reduced blinking, dry eyes, glare, and the overall size of the computer screen.
An anti-reflective coating on computer glasses reduces annoying glare, but it doesn’t address other issues related to eye strain.
Many people also purchase blue light glasses for eye strain when using a computer. There is no conclusive evidence that blue light glasses will reduce eye strain, but they do have a special filter that will reduce the amount of blue light that reaches your eyes.
The best way to reduce eye strain from staring at a computer screen is to use glasses that reduce or eliminate refractive errors and practice good screen habits.
If you’re experiencing eye strain from working on a computer, consider these computer ergonomics and eye care tips:
Can You Use Reading Glasses for Computer Work?
You can use reading glasses for computer work, but they aren’t always the best option.
Reading glasses are designed for a range of ~14-18 inches,
and the computer screen will most likely be at least a few inches farther away from your eyes. This can cause the text on your computer screen to appear blurry or out of focus.
Without the proper magnification power in your computer glasses, you may find yourself leaning forward or turning your head to look at the text on your computer monitor. This can cause neck strain and headaches.
If you spend a few hours each day working on the computer, you could find that computer glasses are more comfortable to wear than reading glasses.
Do Computer Glasses Actually Help with Eye Strain?
Computer glasses can help with eye strain when the issue is related to a refractive error or difficulty focusing at a specific visual range.
However, not all eye strain is caused by refractive errors.
Working on a computer for extended periods of time can also lead to eye strain due to reduced blinking, dry eyes, glare, and the overall size of the computer screen.
An anti-reflective coating on computer glasses reduces annoying glare, but it doesn’t address other issues related to eye strain.
Many people also purchase blue light glasses for eye strain when using a computer. There is no conclusive evidence that blue light glasses will reduce eye strain, but they do have a special filter that will reduce the amount of blue light that reaches your eyes.
The best way to reduce eye strain from staring at a computer screen is to use glasses that reduce or eliminate refractive errors and practice good screen habits.
If you’re experiencing eye strain from working on a computer, consider these computer ergonomics and eye care tips:
Signs You Might Need Computer Glasses or Reading Glasses
You may need computer glasses or reading glasses if you often experience the following symptoms:
Computer glasses: difficulty seeing the text on a computer screen, eye strain or headaches when viewing a computer monitor, neck strain, and difficulty changing focus between the computer screen and other objects
Reading glasses: difficulty reading the newspaper, eye strain or headaches when viewing objects up close, and difficulty reading in low light
These symptoms are not limited to just one condition, however, and an optometrist eye exam can help determine if you need glasses to address a vision problem.
Computer Glasses vs Reading Glasses: Which Do I Need?
Your activities and viewing ranges should dictate which glasses you choose.
Choose Computer Glasses If You Spend Long Hours Working on Screens?
If your job involves working on spreadsheets, video editing, computer programming, graphic design, or any other computer work, computer glasses may help. Choose computer glasses if you find that your current prescription or reading glasses don’t give you clear vision at the intermediate range.
Choose Reading Glasses If You Struggle with Close-Up Reading
Reading glasses are best for people who need help seeing objects that are up close, such as food packaging, newspapers, and books. They’re also helpful for people with age-related vision changes.
Consider Computer (Office) Progressive Lenses If You Need Multiple Viewing Distances
If your job involves looking at a computer screen and documents that are at different distances, consider computer progressive lenses. Office progressive lenses are also helpful for people who work alongside others at a desk.
Computer progressive lenses, also called occupational progressive lenses, are similar to standard progressive lenses but are designed for the visual ranges people typically use inside an office.
They aren’t meant for driving or other activities that involve viewing objects at a far range.
Getting Computer or Reading Glasses at Eyeglass Factory
Picking the right prescription and glasses frames can be more involved than you expect when you’re shopping for glasses at an eyeglass retailer. It’s more than just finding a style you like.
Lens power, viewing range, and fit are all essential aspects of the glasses you choose. At Eyeglass Factory, we can show you the frames and progressive lenses that are best suited to your lifestyle and vision needs.
Whether you’re considering computer glasses, reading glasses, or computer progressive lenses, we can help you choose the right prescription and fittings so that you can work and read comfortably each day.
If you’re purchasing 1-hour glasses, ask us whether your prescription, lenses, and frame are compatible with same-day or next-day glasses. We can also give you professional advice and fittings to ensure that your glasses are comfortable and give you the magnification you need.
When Should You Consult an Eye Specialist?
If you frequently experience blurry vision or eye strain, it might be time to schedule an optometrist eye exam. Eye exams can detect vision problems like myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, and hyperopia.
A comprehensive eye health evaluation can also help identify other eye conditions that may be affecting your vision.
You should also schedule an optometrist eye exam if your current glasses aren’t giving you clear vision.
Sudden changes in vision or severe eye pain require emergency care, and an optometrist or ophthalmologist can provide the eye care you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Use Computer Glasses to Read Books?
It depends. If you have a prescription in your computer glasses, they may provide enough magnification to read a book, but your working range is typically less for reading than computer work. To find out if computer glasses can help you read, try viewing a book or newspaper at the same distance you view your computer screen.
- Do Computer Glasses Require a Prescription?
Non-prescription computer glasses are available, but you’ll receive better vision with prescription computer glasses.
If you have astigmatism or another vision condition, prescription computer glasses can give you the magnification you need for the closest working range.
- Are Blue Light Glasses and Computer Glasses the Same Thing?
No. Computer glasses are specially formulated for the visual range you use when working on a computer. Blue light glasses typically have a blue light filtering lens, but they aren’t the same as computer glasses.
- Can I Wear Computer Glasses All Day?
You can wear computer glasses throughout the day, but these glasses aren’t designed to give you clear vision at a far range. Computer glasses are best for work when you’re viewing a document or computer screen. If you need to drive, wear glasses that have been prescribed for driving.
- Do I Need an Eye Exam to Get Computer Glasses?
An eye exam can determine if you need glasses and the prescription you need for computer glasses, reading glasses, or progressive lenses.
Eye exams are especially important if you experience frequent headaches, blurry vision, and other vision problems.
- Can I Drive With Computer Glasses?
Computer-specific glasses aren’t intended for driving, so you could experience blurry vision when wearing computer glasses while driving. If you need glasses for driving, only wear those on the road.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between computer glasses and reading glasses, the best option depends on how you use your eyes throughout the day.
Computer glasses help give you clear vision at an intermediate range, and they’re beneficial if you work on a computer for extended periods of time. On the other hand, reading glasses help you see objects at a close range, like books and newspapers. If you find that you need to switch between different magnifications throughout the day, occupational progressive lenses are a good option.
Don’t let eye strain stop you from working or enjoying your favorite activities. Choose the right glasses prescription for your visual needs and talk to an optometrist about your concerns.
