# Are cheap generic reading glasses OK to wear while Driving?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cheap-generic-reading-glasses-ok-to-wear-while-driving/578731>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 17, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cheap-generic-reading-glasses-ok-to-wear-while-driving/578731 "2011-04-17T16:54:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![cromulent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b4bc9f/32.png) [@cromulent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cromulent)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cheap-generic-reading-glasses-ok-to-wear-while-driving/578731/21 "2011-04-21T00:15:13Z")

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We learn a ton about fitting frames, dispensing lenses, and ophthalmic optics in general. So in that sense the training overlaps.  
We learned absolutely nothing about edging lenses or the actual mechanics of sticking the lenses into the frames.  
I think most opticians would be able to take an edger, a lens blank, and a frame, and produce a pair of spectacles that you could wear. I can’t do that, alas! (I’d love to learn though, as it seems like a useful skill…)

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**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cheap-generic-reading-glasses-ok-to-wear-while-driving/578731/22 "2011-04-21T04:52:48Z")

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> [@astro](#):
>
> I can’t imagine any human eye condition needing clear distance vision like driving that magnifying (ie reading) glasses would improve.

More things in heaven and earth, Horatio. I do it all the time. I was born very near-sighted, had my eyes corrected with RK when I was about 30, and then presbyopia hit me at 45. I wear the same reading glasses all day, and they work for reading, TV, driving, stargazing, etc.

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**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cheap-generic-reading-glasses-ok-to-wear-while-driving/578731/23 "2011-04-21T14:28:34Z")

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Spend the extra money for the peril-sensitive ones.

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