Aloha all! Not sure how it happened, but I started to get old. Somewhere along the way I noticed things up close started getting blurry. , old age finally got me! I got my first pair in 2016. Nice titanium frames. Pretty sturdy. Lasted me 4 years. Went to the eye doc to see if anything changed and ended up getting a new pair. Well, right before I could get my new pair - my first pair lens popped out! I immediately realized I was screwed. I couldn't see well enough to work the screw back in - wife did it for me. I realized now that I need to have a backup pair - which I do now - but more importantly I need to get a pair that I can take out camping/hiking/whatever that are durable. Not sure I want goggle types since I only need it to read or see up close. But, want something that can take some beating. Anyone with something they can vouch for? I guess I need to start thinking about something to carry it in as well. Don't want anything too bulky since I may carry in small pack or on my body. Thanks!
If you only need them for reading / up close work, you can get reading glasses for around $20 at pretty much any drug store. Cheap enough to have a set everywhere. I get glasses cases at local thrift stores for about $1, get the hard cases not soft. I put the cases in some sort of magazine pouch and attach it to my packs via the molle webbing. Eye site is my biggest frustration with getting old. I've always been nearsighted and worn glasses for distance, now I can't see things up close and have to CONSTANTLY remove and put on my glasses.
You must be shopping at really upscale drugstores....I got 3 pair of Foster Grant readers off Amazon for under $10...got 'em stashed everywhere, JIC.
Not to make @karlito feel bad, but... I'm wearing a pair of reading glasses as I type this for which I've had the frames probably 15+ years and several lens changes along the way. At the time I knew they were pricey but liked the look and at that time had a budget that allowed for them (they're all metal; nothing exotic as far as I know but I really don't know what!). No, these were not from a drugstore or the like - although I've also bought some that way for either reading or driving when in a pinch! And I sometimes carry these dangling from one of the 'temple' pieces from a button hole on my shirt when I'm switching between walk-around sunglasses and the readers... Just lucky I guess? Or these frames were well made from the get-go? I think some of both! Am Yisrael Chai! Moshe ben David
It's when the frames are $300 but the lenses are $800 that things add up... https://moscot.com/products/hamish?variant=13565737664574
I admit, I probably spent more than I should have on my glasses. But, my insurance covers 80% of the first pair. I now have two titanium framed glasses. My thought process was that titanium will hold up longer. I like the idea of getting a bunch at different strengths from the drugstore. They're pretty cheap and I can keep those in storage if things go sideways. I found a carrying case that I had for shooting glasses that I forgot I had. They seem pretty sturdy so will try that out of awhile.
Be glad you're far-sighted and only need help to see up close. That's a lot easier to deal with than being near-sighted like me and not being able to see anything clearly if it's more than 18" away. If you're wanting something durable specifically for outdoor work, hiking, camping, etc, I'd look into a Flexon memory-metal frame: I've seen guys twist frames of this material into all manner of knots and it always goes back to the original shape. Truly amazing stuff. For lenses, get something that is impact resistant like Polycarbonate or lexan, and make sure to get a scratch-resistant coating on top of it: both of these are in case you drop them or take a rogue tree limb to the face. Getting a polarized coating is also wise as it'll cut down on glare. Lastly, get a good quality hard case to keep your glasses in when you're not wearing them: the best way to make your glasses last is to make sure nothing touches them. Really you should just talk to your optometrist: be clear about what you want the glasses for and they should be able to help you find something useful.
Thanks for the response! I'm glad only my near vision has deteriorated. It would be an extreme hassle if my distance vision were going downhill as well! I didn't know they made frames with Flexon. I have been reading about that stuff. I currently have some titanium frames that can twist and bend, but don't think it is as robust as Flexon. You have hit on something that I run into regularly. I have some polarized sun glasses. They don't help me see and actually hinder me when using with my phone - it makes it harder to see. I know it's one of the negatives of wearing polarized lenses. It may be worthwhile looking into some polarized prescription glasses though. Scratch resistance may be a good thing to look into as well. I think my lenses may already come with that. I did, however, finally try the blue light blocking coating - Prevencia. Thought of getting a pair years ago with it, but never did. Glad I can get best of both worlds - correct my vision and Prevencia. I have to say that I do feel less strain on my eyes after staring at computer screens all day and night for the last 20+ years.
Patience grasshopper! Sooner or later distance will be impacted as well... Sorry. Just another fact of life and aging! Am Yisrael Chai! Moshe ben David
I am in Norway, everything here is "NOT cheap" ! My last set was almost 1000 USD, and I need one for walking ( I am near sighted), and one for reading . And at home one more set for the computer! You need a good and sturdy box for carrying in your pocket, just go and ask in the shop. Not plastic, metal! I fell over on the ice last winter, ended face flat down, but managed to stop my face from hitting the ice. My reading glasses in the carry box in my shirt chest pocket. Box was a bit more flat than it used to be. It was metal covered in leather, not too expensive, maybe 20 USD. But it saved my reading glasses! And 20 USD for a new box was better than 1000 USD for a flattened set of glasses!
Without a doubt, a hard case is vital for glasses, especially if you need them for work. I drive for a living, and have two pairs of specs; one pair of varifocals for everyday usage, the other being a pair of polarised varifocal sunglasses. I'll be wearing one pair, and carrying the other: I ALWAYS carry them in a hard case.
Just spent a load on new glasses and was hoping to see some cool carry cases on here. The case they came in is good enough, but I'm looking for something a bit different...possibly cool. Anybody want to post some pics?
