Changing the lens in reading glasses to a lens for distance?

Question

So I've worn glasses for quite some and I've had the same pair for about a year and I'm getting sick of the frame. I was at Borders the other day and I was waiting in line and looking at their reading glasses. I do not need glasses for reading, just for distance. I did, however, find a frame that I fell in love with!!! I couldn't resist, so I ended up buying them (I mean they were only $10!). Anyways, since I don't need glasses for reading and all I wanted was the frame, can I just have new lens put into the frame? I mean you can't beat $10 for frames!

Answer 1

Any eyeglasses place should be able to do that. However, take a good look at the frames and make certian they look substantial; you don't want to spend the money on lenses for these frames and have them bust 2 weeks later! Remember, the glasses place isn't going fix them for free when they bust, because they didn't supply the frames. One other thing, (this will only matter if you have a really strong perscription), the edges of the lenses might interfere with folding up the glasses; depends on how the hinges are designed. Your optician should be able to say if it would be feasible or not.

Who ever is giving me the thumbs down:

1] I know people who have had this done
2] I warned him the frames might not be durable enough
3] Lori is right about some of these frames won't work with "real" lenses; that's why I told him to check with his optician about it!

Answer 2

Unfortunately the frames that OTC reading glasses come in are not what I consider to be Ophthalmic. Most of them are not made to withstand the stress of a real Rx being put into them. Some of them do not have the bezel that is needed for the bevel of the lense to sit in it, and some would melt or burn once we heat it up. Some OTC reader metal frames do not have screws to take out to get lenses in and out with. The OTC's are made way differently and with much cheaper, lesser quality materials. That is why they cost less. Mose opticians will not even try to put lenses in an OTC frame because it usually does not work and is a waste of time and a waste of a set of lenses once it does not work. I won't do it at all. I tell people NO all the time. I have friends that will try it, but it always looks cheesy. I won't put MY name on that kind of work. O^O

Answer 3

Do you have the same problem if you are wearing your contacts? If not then there is probably a problem with the glasses prescription. Either it was written wrong, or it was cut wrong. Astigmatism causes a blurriness which is normally correctable. I would go back to WalMart and let them know about the problem. They should be able to work with you to correct it. If you went to the doctor at WalMart then that's a big help. If not, and Walmart says the lenses match the prescription then take your glasses back to your eye doctor so he can see why your vision is not corrected.

Answer 4

Store-bought readers are virtually disposable. You'll be disappointed if you try to make them last like real ophthalmic frames should. They're just not that kind of quality.