Hello,

I have an prescription for glasses and it has an "Add" number for both eyes that is +2.25. I'm assuming that's a bifocal. My question is this: Since I can use OTC reading glasses with a +1.75 lens, doesn't +2.25 seen like too much power? Or is there something different about prescription glasses? I'd appreciate the input.

Thanks
Siz

Yes, the add power is for bifocals. This can also be used to calculate reading glasses. Prescription glasses are custom taylored for YOU. OTC readers are not. They don't take into account your distance vision, your astigmatism, or many other factors. Prescription glasses are ALWAYS better than over the counter readers, Unless of course your prescription is solely the add power... Which in most cases it is not.

The reading add is exactly what it says it is and add. U need to combine this with your distance prescription to determine what prescription you need for reading. Also it depends on what your working distance is. e.g. +1.75 is said to have a longer or further away working distance than +2.25 so you may be finding you're holding things further away with your otcs than you would with taylor mades. Don't worry as you get older it is perfectly normal for your reading add to get higher.